Vacuum assisted methods of removing eggs

ABSTRACT

Egg lifting apparatus are provided that include a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturi assembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways, and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup has an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing second passageway.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/680,762,filed Oct. 7, 2003, entitled Vacuum Assisted Methods of Removing Eggs,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/441,343filed Jan. 21, 2003, entitled Egg Lifting Apparatus, all of which areassigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosures ofall of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties as if set forth fully herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to eggs and, more particularly,to egg handling apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Discrimination between poultry eggs on the basis of some observablequality is a well-known and long-used practice in the poultry industry.“Candling” is a common name for one such technique, a term which has itsroots in the original practice of inspecting an egg using the light froma candle. Eggs which are to be hatched to live poultry are typicallycandled during embryonic development to identify clear, rotted, and deadeggs (collectively referred to herein as “non-live eggs”). It is acommon practice to remove non-live eggs from live eggs to increaseavailable incubator space, to reduce the risk of contamination, and tosave vaccine costs related to in ovo inoculations.

Conventionally, eggs designated as non-live are removed either by handor via an automated egg removal device. Automated egg removal devicesconventionally employ suction-type lifting devices as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,681,063 or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,003 to Keromnes et al. Thepoultry industry is constantly looking for improved ways of separatinglive and non-live eggs that are efficient, that reduce costs, and thatreduce the risk of contamination to live eggs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above discussion, egg lifting apparatus are provided thatinclude a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturiassembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways,and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexiblecup comprises an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuumhousing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmosphericpressure (vacuum) within the second passageway upon the flow of airthrough the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engageand retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmosphericpressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuumhousing second passageway.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the egg liftingapparatus includes a plunger housing and an elongated plunger operablyassociated therewith. The plunger housing includes opposite first andsecond ends and an axially-extending internal bore that terminates atrespective first and second openings in the plunger housing first andsecond ends. The elongated plunger includes opposite first and secondends and an axially-extending internal bore that terminates atrespective first and second ports in the plunger first and second ends.The plunger first end is slidably secured within the plunger housinginternal bore and the plunger second end extends from the plungerhousing second opening and is secured to the vacuum housing first endsuch that the plunger axial bore is in communication with the vacuumhousing first passageway and with the plunger housing first opening. Theplunger second end is removably secured to the vacuum housing first end.The plunger is configured for reciprocal movement between an extendedand retracted position relative to the plunger housing. The plunger ismoved to an extended position upon the flow of air through the secondport into the plunger housing internal bore through the plunger housingfirst opening.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the plunger housingincludes a third opening that is in communication with the plungerhousing internal bore. The plunger is moved to a retracted position uponthe flow of air through the second port into the plunger housing bore.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the venturi assemblyand/or the flexible cup are removably secured to the vacuum housing.According to embodiments of the present invention, a screen ispositioned within the interior of the flexible cup and is configured toprevent foreign matter from being pulled into the second passageway ofthe vacuum housing.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus forremoving eggs from an egg carrier includes a frame, a pressurized airsource, and a platform comprising an array of the egg lifting devices.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of cleaningand/or sterilizing the egg lifting apparatus includes immersing theflexible cup in a bath of cleaning solution, and inducing vacuum withinthe interior of the vacuum cup by forcing air flow through the vacuumhousing first passageway, wherein contaminants are pulled upwardlythrough the second passageway and out the venturi assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an egg lifting apparatus, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the egg lifting apparatus of FIG. 1 thatillustrates the various components thereof.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the vacuum housing and flexible vacuum cupof the egg lifting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the venturi assembly of the egg liftingapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the plunger and plunger housing of the egglifting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the plunger in extended and retractedpositions, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the egg lifting apparatus of FIG. 1illustrating the first passageway outlet in the vacuum housing and theseal therewithin that prevents air flow through the first passagewayfrom entering the second passageway in the vacuum housing.

FIGS. 8–10 illustrate an apparatus for removing eggs from an egg carrierthat utilizes a plurality of the egg lifting apparatus of FIG. 1,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the flexible vacuum cup of the egg lifting apparatusof FIG. 1 being immersed in a bath of cleaning solution for cleaning,according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In the drawings, the thickness of lines, layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element isreferred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on theother element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element,there are no intervening elements present. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “attached” toanother element, it can be directly connected or attached to the otherelement or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, whenan element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directlyattached” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.The terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and thelike are used herein for the purpose of explanation only.

Egg lifting apparatus according to embodiments of the present inventionmay be utilized for lifting and transferring various types and sizes ofeggs and in conjunction with various egg processing techniques (e.g., inovo inoculation, in ovo virus cultivations, etc.). Egg lifting apparatusaccording to embodiments of the present invention may be used with anytypes of avian eggs including, but not limited to, chicken eggs, turkeyeggs, duck eggs, geese eggs, quail eggs, pheasant eggs, exotic birdeggs, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 1–7, an egg lifting apparatus 10, according toembodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated egglifting apparatus 10 includes a vacuum housing 12. The vacuum housing 12includes opposite first and second ends 12 a, 12 b, and an intermediateportion 14 between the first and second ends 12 a, 12 b. A firstpassageway 16 extends through the vacuum housing 12 between an inlet 16a in the vacuum housing first end 12 a and an outlet 16 b in theintermediate portion 14.

A second passageway 20 extends through the vacuum housing 12 between aninlet 20 a in the vacuum housing second end 12 b and an outlet 20 b thatis in communication with the first passageway 16. A venturi assembly 22is configured to be removably secured within the first passageway outlet16 b and is in communication with the first passageway 16 when securedin the first passageway outlet 16 b.

The illustrated venturi assembly 22 includes a body portion 24 havingopposite first and second end portions 24 a, 24 b. An axially-extendinginternal passageway 26 extends between the first and second end portions24 a, 24 b, as illustrated. The illustrated body portion 24 includes athroat section 28 adjacent the first end portion 24 a that includes athreaded portion 28 a and a neck portion 28 b. A pair of apertures 30are formed in the neck portion 28 b and are in communication with theinternal passageway 26. (However, a single aperture 30, or more than twoapertures 30, may be utilized according to other embodiments of thepresent invention.) A nozzle 32 extends from the first end portion 24 aas illustrated and is in communication with the internal passageway 26.An O-ring 34 surrounds the throat section 28 adjacent the threadedportion 28 a, as illustrated and is used to seal the venturi assembly 22within the vacuum housing 12 as will be described below.

The flow of air through the venturi internal passageway 26 from thepassageway inlet 26 a in nozzle 32 to the passageway outlet 26 b(direction also indicated by arrow A₁) will induce subatmosphericpressure (i.e., vacuum) in the region of the throat section 28 atapertures 30. This region of reduced pressure is employed to induce avacuum within the interior 41 of a flexible vacuum cup 40 attached tothe vacuum housing second end 12 b, as will be described below.

The illustrated venturi assembly 22 is configured to be removablysecured within the first passageway outlet 16 b of the vacuum housing12. A portion of the first passageway outlet 16 b is threaded so as tothreadingly receive the threaded portion 28 a of the venturi assembly22. A seal 36 (e.g., an O-ring) is disposed within the first passagewayoutlet 16 b as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 and is configured tosealingly engage the body portion first end portion 24 a of the venturiassembly 22 when the venturi assembly 22 is secured within the firstpassageway outlet 16 b of the vacuum housing 12. O-ring seal 34 sealingengages the venturi assembly 22 against the intermediate portion 14 ofthe vacuum housing 12, as illustrated. When air flows into vacuumhousing internal passageway inlet 16 a (indicated by arrow A₂), the seal36 prevents the flow of air into the vacuum housing second passageway20. The throat section 28 containing apertures 30 is located adjacentthe second passageway inlet 20 b when the venturi assembly 22 is securedwithin the first passageway outlet 16 b. Thus, when air flows into thevacuum housing internal passageway inlet 16 a (indicated by arrow A₂),through the first passageway 16 and out venturi assembly internalpassageway outlet 26 b, subatmospheric pressure is induced within thesecond passageway and within the interior 41 of the flexible vacuum cup40.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustratedventuri assembly 22. Venturi assemblies having various configurationsmay be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

A flexible vacuum cup 40 having an interior portion 41 is removablysecured to the vacuum housing second end 12 b and is in communicationwith the vacuum housing second passageway 20. The flexible vacuum cup 40is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewithwhen subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cupinterior 41 via the second passageway 20.

The illustrated egg lifting apparatus 10 also includes a plungerassembly 50 that includes a plunger housing 52 and an elongated plunger60. The illustrated plunger housing 52 includes opposite first andsecond ends 52 a, 52 b and an axially-extending internal bore 54 thatterminates at respective first and second openings 54 a, 54 b in theplunger housing first and second ends 52 a, 52 b.

The elongated plunger 60 includes opposite first and second ends 60 a,60 b and an axially-extending internal bore 62 that terminates atrespective first and second ports 62 a, 62 b in the plunger first andsecond ends 60 a, 60 b. The plunger first end 60 a is slidably securedwithin the plunger housing internal bore 54 and the plunger second end60 b extends from the plunger housing second opening 54 b, asillustrated. The plunger second end 60 b is removably secured to thevacuum housing first end 12 a such that the plunger axial bore 62 is incommunication with the vacuum housing first passageway 16 and with theplunger housing first opening 54 a. The plunger 60 is configured forreciprocal movement between extended and retracted positions relative tothe plunger housing 52. The plunger 60 moves to an extended position(FIG. 6A) upon the flow of air through the plunger housing bore 54 inthe direction indicated by arrow A₃ (FIG. 5). The plunger first endportion 60 a has an enlarged area that air impinges on to push theplunger 60 to the extended position. Air entering the plunger housinginternal bore 54 also flows through the plunger internal bore 62 andinto the vacuum housing first passageway 16 to create vacuum within theinterior 41 of flexible vacuum cup 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger second end 60 b is removablysecured to the vacuum housing first end 12 and is held in place via pin65. A pair of bores 68 extend through the vacuum housing 12 adjacent thefirst end 12 a thereof as illustrated. Pin 65 is inserted in one of thebores 68 and engages keyway 66 that is adjacent to the plunger secondend 60 b to secure the plunger 60 within the vacuum housing 12. AnO-ring 61 is also disposed within the first passageway 16 in the vacuumhousing 12 to sealingly engage the plunger second end portion 60 a.

The illustrated plunger housing 52 also includes a third opening 70 thatis in communication with the plunger housing internal bore 54. When airflow is directed into the third opening 70, the air flows upwardly inthe plunger housing internal bore 54 (indicated by arrows A₄) andimpinges on the underside portion of plunger first end 60 a and movesthe plunger 60 to the retracted position (FIG. 6B).

Referring to FIGS. 8–10, an apparatus 100 for removing eggs from an eggcarrier (e.g., an egg flat), according to embodiments of the presentinvention is illustrated. The apparatus 100 includes a frame 105, apressurized air source 106, and a platform 107 supporting an array ofegg lifting devices 10 as described above. The pressurized air source106 is in communication with the plunger housing first opening (54 a,FIG. 5) of each egg lifting apparatus 10 via tubing. When air issupplied to a respective egg lifting apparatus 10, the flexible vacuumcup 40 is lowered as a result of the plunger moving to an extendedposition and vacuum is produced in the interior 41 of the flexiblevacuum cup 40. The illustrated apparatus 100 further includes an arm 120pivotally secured at one end 120 a to the frame 105 and rotationallysecured at an opposite end 120 b to the platform 107. The arm 120 pivotsbetween first and second positions to pick up and transfer selected eggsfrom an egg carrier. The platform 107 is positioned above a firstlocation when the arm 120 is in the first position, and the platform 107is positioned above a second location adjacent the first location whenthe arm 120 is in the second position. The plunger 60 for each egglifting apparatus 10 only extends down for eggs to be picked up.Accordingly, the flexible vacuum cups 40 only come into contact with thesame type of egg (i.e., either live or non-live). For example, only liveeggs may be lifted and transferred. Alternatively, only non-live eggsmay be lifted and removed. Alternatively, all eggs may be lifted andeither live eggs or non-live eggs are controllably released. Embodimentsof the present invention are not limited to the illustrated apparatus100 and/or operation of arm 120 and platform 107. Moreover, embodimentsof the present invention are not limited to an arm 120 that isrotationally or pivotally secured to the frame. Any type of member thatserves the function of arm 120 may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 11, each individual egg lifting apparatus can becleaned by extending each respective plunger 60 such that the flexiblevacuum cup 40 is immersed in a bath of cleaning solution 130. Vacuum isinduced within the interior 41 of the vacuum cup 40 by forcing air flowthrough the vacuum housing first passageway 16 and through the venturiassembly 22, as described above. Soluble particulate matter and othercontaminants are pulled upwardly through the second passageway 20 of thevacuum housing 12 and out the venturi assembly 22. Non-soluble mattercan clog aperture 30, but the entire venturi assembly 22 can be removedand cleaned.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a screen 80(FIG. 3) may be positioned within the interior 41 of each flexiblevacuum cup 40 to prevent foreign matter from being pulled into thesecond passageway 20 of the vacuum housing 22 and potentially cloggingthe vacuum housing 22. However, a screen 80 is not required.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, withequivalents of the claims to be included therein.

1. A method of removing eggs from a carrier containing a plurality ofeggs, the method comprising: selecting one or more eggs to be removedfrom the carrier; and removing the selected one or more eggs from thecarrier via an egg removal apparatus, wherein the egg removal apparatuscomprises a pressurized air source, and an array of egg lifting devices,wherein each egg lifting device in the array is configured to remove arespective egg from the carrier, and wherein a respective one of the egglifting devices lifts a respective one of the selected one or more eggsfrom the carrier upon selectively receiving air from the pressurized airsource; wherein each egg lifting device comprises: a vacuum housingcomprising first and second passageways; a venturi assembly in fluidcommunication with the first and second passageways, wherein the venturiassembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passagewayupon the flow of air through the first passageway; and a flexible cupsecured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup comprises aninterior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing secondpassageway, wherein the flexible cup is configured to engage and retainan egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure isprovided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing secondpassageway; moving the array of egg lifting devices from a positionoverlying the egg carrier to a position adjacent the egg carrier;stopping the selective flow of pressurized air from the pressurized airsource to the respective egg lifting devices such that the one or moreeggs are released from the egg lifting devices; immersing one or more ofthe flexible cups of the array of egg lifting devices in a bath ofcleaning solution; and inducing vacuum within the interior of eachimmersed vacuum cup by forcing air flow through the vacuum housing firstpassageway, wherein contaminants are pulled upwardly through the secondpassageway and out the venturi assembly.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the venturi assembly is removably secured to the vacuum housing.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible cup is removably securedto the vacuum housing.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising ascreen positioned within the interior of the flexible cup, wherein thescreen is configured to prevent foreign matter from being pulled intothe second passageway of the vacuum housing.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein selecting an egg to be removed from the carrier comprisescandling the eggs in the carrier.
 6. A method of removing eggs from acarrier containing a plurality of eggs, the method comprising: selectingone or more eggs to be removed from the carrier; and removing theselected one or more eggs from the carrier via an egg removal apparatus,wherein the egg removal apparatus comprises: a pressurized air source;and an array of egg lifting devices, each egg lifting device comprising:a vacuum housing comprising first and second passageways; a venturiassembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways,wherein the venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within thesecond passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway; anda flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cupcomprises an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuumhousing second passageway, wherein the flexible cup is configured toengage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith whensubatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior viathe vacuum housing second passageway, wherein each egg lifting device inthe array is configured to remove a respective egg from the carrier, andwherein a respective one of the egg lifting devices lifts a respectiveone of the selected one or more eggs from the carrier upon selectivelyreceiving air from the pressurized air source; moving the array of egglifting devices from a position overlying the egg carrier to a positionadjacent the egg carrier; stopping the selective flow of pressurized airfrom the pressurized air source to the respective egg lifting devicessuch that the one or more eggs are released from the egg liftingdevices; immersing one or more the flexible cups of the array of egglifting devices in a bath of cleaning solution; and inducing vacuumwithin the interior of each immersed vacuum cup by forcing air flowthrough the vacuum housing first passageway, wherein contaminants arepulled upwardly through the second passageway and out the venturiassembly.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the venturi assembly isremovably secured to the vacuum housing.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein the flexible cup is removably secured to the vacuum housing. 9.The method of claim 6, further comprising a screen positioned within theinterior of the flexible cup, wherein the screen is configured toprevent foreign matter from being pulled into the second passageway ofthe vacuum housing.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein selecting an eggto be removed from the carrier comprises candling the eggs in thecarrier.